The expert spoke about the threat of nuclear proliferation in Europe

Currently, there is a threat of nuclear proliferation in Europe, Konstantin Bogdanov, head of the Strategic Analysis and Forecasting Sector at the IMEMO RAS Center for International Security, said in an interview with Izvestia. A number of European countries are seriously considering strengthening national nuclear deterrence capabilities or expanding the use of individual forces - French, British — as a nuclear umbrella for the rest of non—nuclear European states.

"Previously, NATO states relied for the most part on the American nuclear umbrella with an extended deterrence system. But now, due to the growing contradictions between Washington and the European members of NATO, there are growing doubts among European elites that this kind of expanded deterrence by the United States is reliable," the expert said.

European countries understand that they can ensure their security through the growth of national military power, the key component of which is nuclear weapons, he added. And it's easy to "sell" this idea to your own society. However, the big question is whether this will solve the security problem in Europe.

"In fact, this will lead to a nuclear arms race in this very Europe, making it a much less secure region. And, of course, it will provoke a reaction from Russia. In Russia, this has always been considered and will continue to be considered as an additional threat, which will lead to certain military-technical decisions," Bogdanov warned.

Germany may eventually have its own nuclear weapons, the source said. However, as a result, Germany will have to make a difficult choice.

"Because it will either completely delegate this umbrella of nuclear security to the French and British in Europe, or it will try to become the third leg of the stool and thereby retain the status of the leading military power of the European continent," the political scientist concluded.

Read more about the risk of nuclear proliferation in Europe in the Izvestia article.

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